Local Residents Receive Governor’s Volunteer Awards

Jim Walker is seen here receiving his award from Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds

Ottumwa, Iowa – Several Oskaloosa residents were honored at a June 1st ceremony at St. John’s Auditorium on the Indian Hills Campus.

One of those honored was Jim Walker, who is a member of the Mahaska County CERT team. Jim has been working with the local CERT team since its inception in the county and has taken on the role of ‘Captain’ in the group.

Mahaska County Emergency Manager Jamey Robinson nominated Walker for the award.

Walker said he’s “Pretty shocked. I don’t do this for an award. I do it because I believe in Emergency Management and making people happy.”

Unsure about accepting the award, Walker recalled a piece of advice given to him about it. “To take the award as an individual that is a mentor, or to show other people what the State of Iowa does for people that care for people in Iowa. Be an example is basically what they told me.”

“I thank Jamey for the opportunity for this,” said an emotional Walker. “It’s a great honor.”

Just because he was recognized doesn’t mean it will slow down this volunteer. “I’ve been working every night this week.” Walker said, as he continues to prepare training modules for the CERT members for every month until the end of the year.

Walkers other ambition is to find ways of getting more people involved in CERT. He plans to start attending meetings spreading the word and recruiting members to the group.

Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds presented the group the awards, reason being that Governor Branstad was in China at the time. “Governor Branstad and I are so very proud of all of your hard work and dedication to the State of Iowa and to your community.”

Four volunteers from Mahaska Health Partnership were also recognized and MHP helped to provide Osky News with some about each of those volunteers.

This group photo from left to right is: Betty Hibbs, Harriett Jones, and Bev Hutchinson. Not pictured is Keith Miller who was unable to attend. (submitted photo)

Betty Hibbs started volunteering after seeing a notice in her church bulletin that Mahaska Health Partnership was looking for volunteers. Betty is a retired school teacher and thought volunteering was something she knew she could do. Betty volunteers every Friday as the surgery liaison. Occasionally Betty helps with the cataract clinic taking patients to their loved ones after surgery.

In August 2010 she took on a whole new role and started volunteering more often when one of the main elevators failed and we used volunteers to take patients from first floor to third floor via the service elevator. Betty helped out two days a week until the elevator was fixed in January of 2011. In Betty’s spare time she enjoys playing BINGO two mornings a week. Betty has an infectious smile, great personality and loves to help people.

Harriett started volunteering at Mahaska Health Partnership 7 years ago, after her husband passed away. Prior to volunteering at the hospital, Harriet took a course in bereavement in 1989and began working for hospice as a volunteer off and on for five years. Harriett recalls that was when Hospice was in the old hospital and they had card tables for desks.

Harriett started her volunteering with us in the Medical Specialty Building helping with clerical work and guiding patients to their destination. Harriett currently volunteers in Admitting and is always ready to assist with any project from guiding patients to their destination to greeting patients and visitors as they walk through our doors. Harriett also helps make up blood kits for the Emergency Department and much more. Harriett volunteers two afternoons a week and is always here. Her dedication to the volunteer services at MHP is very commendable. Harriett is so funny and has a great personality.

Bev Hutchinson started volunteering in November of 2008 after retiring from the Sheriff’s department in Mahaska County. Bev’s contributions to MHP have been numerous over the years and our staff has greatly appreciated her dedication and willingness to always go above and beyond.

Bev has volunteered in several areas of the hospital from filing in Behavior Health Services to helping in the Medical Specialty Center with clerical work. Her present volunteer position is in the Admitting department greeting patients and visitors and making sure each patient gets to the right registration person. Bev is a joy to be around with her ever-present optimism, great personality and good cheer.

Keith Miller is a retired pharmacist who worked at Mahaska Health Partnership. Keith started volunteering at Mahaska Health Partnership on October 20, 2007. Keith is unique in that he does whatever needs done for the good of the cause. Last year, one of the main elevators broke down and was supposed to be fixed in a couple of weeks. Those weeks turned into months, but Keith was very dedicated in coming week after week to escort patients to their destination via the service elevator. Keith is a very dependable volunteer and always comes in when he is called.

In Keith’s spare time he volunteers at the Oskaloosa Free Clinic as a transporter. Keith is the past president of the Kiwanis Club that meets at Mahaska Health Partnership. Keith is the president of the Friends of the Library which is a 10 member board. When we asked Keith why he volunteers he said he likes to give back to the community. Keith feels there is a need for volunteers and he enjoys it. Keith is a great addition to MHP Volunteer Services.